Electric actuator with priortized charging for electric valve return

Abstract

An electric actuator comprises an electricity storing portion that stores electric energy, a charging portion that charges the electricity storing portion when the electric actuator is energized by receiving electric power from outside, and a controlling portion that controls the entire actuator. The controlling portion controls the opening degree of a valve according to an opening degree target value when the electric actuator is energized and operates the valve to a desired opening position using energy stored in the electricity storing portion when interruption of electric service occurs. In addition, the controlling portion causes the charging portion to start charging of the electricity storing portion when a charge waiting time that depends on predetermined priority of charging has elapsed after electric power is turned on.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An electric actuator comprising:
 an opening degree controlling portion that controls an opening degree of a valve according to an opening degree target value when the electric actuator is energized by receiving electric power from a power source; 
 an electricity storing portion that stores electric energy; 
 a charging portion that charges the electricity storing portion when the electric actuator is energized; 
 a return controlling portion that operates the valve to a predetermined opening position using the electric energy stored in the electricity storing portion when interruption of electric service occurs and the electric power from the power source is interrupted; and 
 a charge controlling portion that causes the charging portion to start charging of the electricity storing portion when a charge waiting time determined according to a priority of charging has elapsed after the electric power is turned on; and 
 a storing portion that stores, in advance, a charge number corresponding to the priority and a charge time required to charge the electricity storing portion, 
 wherein the charge controlling portion calculates a charge waiting time based on the charge number and the charge time and causes the charging portion to start charging of the electricity storing portion when the charge waiting time has elapsed after the electric power is turned on, and 
 wherein, when a plurality of the electric actuators are connected to one power supply system, the electric actuators are divided into groups so that a total current flowing from the power supply system to the electric actuators is equal to or less than a maximum allowable current capacity value and the electric actuator having a higher priority is charged earlier, and the charge number corresponding to each of the groups is preset in the storing portion. 
 
     
     
       2. An electric actuator comprising:
 an opening degree controlling portion that controls an opening degree of a valve according to an opening degree target value when the electric actuator is energized by receiving electric power from a power source; 
 an electricity storing portion that stores electric energy; 
 a charging portion that charges the electricity storing portion when the electric actuator is energized; 
 a return controlling portion that operates the valve to a predetermined opening position using the electric energy stored in the electricity storing portion when interruption of electric service occurs and the electric power from the power source is interrupted; and 
 a charge controlling portion that causes the charging portion to start charging of the electricity storing portion when a charge waiting time determined according to a priority of charging has elapsed after the electric power is turned on; and 
 a storing portion that stores, in advance, a charge number corresponding to the priority and a charge time required to charge the electricity storing portion, 
 wherein the charge controlling portion calculates a charge waiting time based on the charge number and the charge time and causes the charging portion to start charging of the electricity storing portion when the charge waiting time has elapsed after the electric power is turned on, and 
 wherein, when a plurality of the electric actuators are connected to one power supply system, the electric actuators are divided into groups so that a total time required to charge the electric actuators is equal to or less than a maximum allowable charge time and the electric actuator having a higher priority is charged earlier, and the charge number corresponding to each of the groups is preset in the storing portion.